Question Number: 30155

Law 16 - Goal Kick 2/29/2016

RE: Rec, Select, Competitive High School

Julie Nourayi of rancho palos verdes, CA United States asks...

Situation: On a goal kick restart, a defender positions herself to the side of the PA and the ball is then kicked laterally to her. An attacker enters the PA (while the ball is still rolling through the PA, before being in play) and cuts through diagonally as a shortcut to the defender, so that when the ball enters the field of play, said attacker can then immediately challenge the defender for the ball.

The 2014 ATR states: '6.2 Opponents Must Remain Outside the Penalty Area Until the Ball Is in Play An opponent who infringes on the requirement to remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play should be warned and, upon a repetition, cautioned for persistent infringement. In any event, the goal kick is retaken.'

My reading of the ATR requires me to call this infraction once it affects play (I do not stop play if unaffected) and the GK is re-taken. Is this a correct interpretation of Law 16? I notice this happens in U12 up through high school games.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Julie
Your interpretation is correct. An attacker cannot enter the penalty area until the ball is in play which is the point it leaves the penalty area. If the action of the attacker impacts on play then it is retake.
If it has little or no impact then play should continue. The referee can take her cue from the defending team here. If the team wants to get on with play then bringing play back might disadvantage the team.
It is unlikely ever to be a caution unless it is done deliberately to delay the restart with say multiple restarts or a repeat after being told not to do it.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Julie,
well done you are spot on.


Free kick inside the penalty area (includes goal kick)
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
• all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
• all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
• the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area
• a free kick awarded in the goal area may be taken from any point inside
that area

Cutting the corners is common and is illegal. While it can be trifling it can create a need to retake and if it is persistent then a caution for delaying the restart of play is feasible. I agree a warning to desist should accompany any such action be it affecting play or not. Many younger players simply forget!
Cheers